The Ultimate Guide to TFS 2018 Serial Key: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Use It
Team Foundation Server 2018 Serial Key: What You Need to Know
If you are a software developer or a project manager, you might have heard of Team Foundation Server (TFS), a Microsoft product that provides a set of tools and services for managing the entire software development lifecycle. TFS 2018 is the latest version of this product, and it comes with many new features and improvements that can help you deliver high-quality software faster and easier.
Team Foundation Server 2018 Serial Key
However, before you can use TFS 2018, you need to have a valid serial key, also known as a product key, that allows you to activate the product and access its full functionality. In this article, we will explain what TFS 2018 is, what a serial key is and why you need it, how to find your serial key for TFS 2018, how to activate TFS 2018 with your serial key, and how to use TFS 2018 for your software development projects.
What is Team Foundation Server 2018?
Team Foundation Server (TFS) is a Microsoft product that provides a comprehensive solution for software development teams. It integrates various tools and services that cover the following aspects of the software development lifecycle:
Version control: TFS supports both centralized version control (Team Foundation Version Control) and distributed version control (Git) systems, allowing you to manage your source code, track changes, and collaborate with your team.
Work item tracking: TFS allows you to create and manage work items, such as user stories, tasks, bugs, and features, that represent the requirements and deliverables of your project. You can also customize the work item types, fields, states, and workflows to suit your needs.
Project management: TFS helps you plan and monitor your project progress using agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban. You can create backlogs, sprints, boards, charts, dashboards, and reports that provide visibility into your project status and performance.
Testing: TFS enables you to create and run various types of tests, such as unit tests, manual tests, exploratory tests, load tests, and web tests, to ensure the quality of your software. You can also automate your testing process using test plans, test suites, test cases, test steps, test results, and test environments.
Build automation: TFS allows you to automate your build process using build definitions, build agents, build triggers, build tasks, build variables, build artifacts, and build reports. You can also integrate your build process with other tools and services, such as NuGet packages, Maven packages, Docker containers, SonarQube analysis, Azure deployments, etc.
Release management: TFS helps you automate your release process using release definitions, release stages, release triggers, release tasks, release variables, release artifacts, release approvals, and release reports. You can also deploy your software to various environments, such as on-premises servers, virtual machines, Azure cloud services, etc.
Collaboration and communication: TFS facilitates collaboration and communication among your team members using various features, such as team rooms, wiki pages, code reviews, pull requests, comments, notifications, alerts, etc.
Features and benefits of TFS 2018TFS 2018 is the latest version of Team Foundation Server, and it comes with many new features and improvements that can benefit your software development projects. Some of the main features and benefits of TFS 2018 are:
Support for Git Virtual File System (GVFS): TFS 2018 supports GVFS, a technology that allows you to work with large Git repositories without having to download all the files and history. GVFS only downloads the files and history that you need, making your Git operations faster and more efficient.
Support for Azure DevOps Services: TFS 2018 supports Azure DevOps Services, formerly known as Visual Studio Team Services, a cloud-based platform that provides the same features and services as TFS, but without the need to install and maintain your own servers. You can connect your TFS 2018 server to Azure DevOps Services and use it as a hybrid solution, or migrate your projects from TFS 2018 to Azure DevOps Services completely.
Support for SQL Server 2017: TFS 2018 supports SQL Server 2017, the latest version of Microsoft's relational database management system. SQL Server 2017 offers improved performance, security, availability, and scalability for your TFS data.
Support for SharePoint 2019: TFS 2018 supports SharePoint 2019, the latest version of Microsoft's web-based collaboration and document management platform. SharePoint 2019 offers enhanced user experience, modern web parts, mobile access, and integration with other Microsoft products.
Support for Office 365: TFS 2018 supports Office 365, Microsoft's cloud-based suite of productivity applications. Office 365 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, and more. You can use Office 365 to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, notes, and files related to your TFS projects.
Improved web portal: TFS 2018 has an improved web portal that provides a more intuitive and responsive user interface for accessing and managing your TFS projects. The web portal has new features such as a global navigation bar, a project overview page, a wiki editor, a pull request dashboard, a release definition editor, a test results summary page, and more.
Improved dashboards: TFS 2018 has improved dashboards that provide more visibility and insights into your project status and performance. The dashboards have new features such as a dashboard catalog, a dashboard editor, a widget catalog, a widget editor, a widget gallery, and more.
How to install and upgrade TFS 2018
If you want to use TFS 2018 for your software development projects, you need to install it on your server or upgrade from an existing version of TFS. The installation and upgrade process of TFS 2018 involves the following steps:
Prepare your environment: You need to make sure that your server meets the minimum hardware and software requirements for running TFS 2018. You also need to back up your existing data and configuration before installing or upgrading TFS 2018.
Download the installation media: You need to download the installation media for TFS 2018 from the Microsoft website or use a DVD or USB drive that contains the installation media.
Run the installation wizard: You need to run the installation wizard on your server and follow the instructions to install or upgrade TFS 2018. You can choose between different installation scenarios, such as basic, advanced, or custom, depending on your needs and preferences.
Configure your server: You need to configure your server settings after installing or upgrading TFS 2018. You can use the configuration wizard or the administration console to configure your server settings, such as application tier, data tier, build service, reporting service, etc.
Verify your installation or upgrade: You need to verify that your installation or upgrade was successful by checking the status of your server components, services, and databases. You can also run some tests to ensure that your TFS projects are working properly.
What is a serial key and why do you need it?
A serial key, also known as a product key, is a unique alphanumeric code that is used to activate a software product. A serial key is usually composed of 25 characters divided into five groups of five characters each. For example, a serial key for TFS 2018 might look like For example, a serial key for TFS 2018 might look like this: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
You need a serial key to activate TFS 2018 and access its full functionality. Without a serial key, you can only use TFS 2018 in trial mode, which has some limitations, such as:
You can only use TFS 2018 for 90 days after installation.
You can only create up to five team projects.
You can only have up to five team members per project.
You cannot use some features, such as reporting, SharePoint integration, and Azure DevOps Services integration.
Therefore, if you want to use TFS 2018 for your software development projects without any restrictions, you need to have a valid serial key and activate TFS 2018 with it.
The difference between a product key and a digital license
A product key, or a serial key, is not the same as a digital license. A product key is a code that you enter during the installation or activation process of TFS 2018. A digital license is a record that links your server to your product key and proves that your copy of TFS 2018 is genuine and activated.
You can obtain a product key for TFS 2018 in different ways, such as:
Purchasing TFS 2018 from the Microsoft Store or an authorized reseller.
Subscribing to Visual Studio subscriptions or Microsoft Partner Network programs that include TFS 2018.
Using a volume licensing agreement or an enterprise agreement that covers TFS 2018.
You can obtain a digital license for TFS 2018 in different ways, such as:
Activating TFS 2018 online with your product key.
Activating TFS 2018 offline with your product key and a confirmation ID.
Activating TFS 2018 by phone with your product key and an installation ID.
How to find your serial key for TFS 2018How to find your serial key for TFS 2018 depends on how you obtained your copy of TFS 2018. Here are some possible ways to find your serial key for TFS 2018:
If you purchased TFS 2018 from the Microsoft Store or an authorized reseller, you should receive an email confirmation with your product key, or find your product key on a card or sticker inside the product box.
If you subscribed to Visual Studio subscriptions or Microsoft Partner Network programs that include TFS 2018, you should sign in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal or the Microsoft Partner Network portal and view your product key under the Downloads section.
If you used a volume licensing agreement or an enterprise agreement that covers TFS 2018, you should sign in to the Volume Licensing Service Center or the Microsoft Azure portal and view your product key under the Licenses section.
If you cannot find your serial key for TFS 2018 using any of these methods, you can contact Microsoft support or your reseller for assistance.
How to activate TFS 2018 with your serial key
Once you have your serial key for TFS 2018, you can activate TFS 2018 with it using one of the following methods:
Online activation: This is the easiest and most common method of activating TFS 2018. You just need to enter your product key during the installation or configuration process of TFS 2018, and your server will connect to the Microsoft activation servers and verify your product key. If your product key is valid, your server will receive a digital license and activate TFS 2018 automatically.
Offline activation: This is an alternative method of activating TFS 2018 if your server does not have internet access or if online activation fails for some reason. You need to enter your product key during the installation or configuration process of TFS 2018, and your server will generate a confirmation ID that you need to write down or print. Then, you need to use another device that has internet access and go to the Microsoft activation website and enter your confirmation ID. If your confirmation ID is valid, you will receive a digital license that you need to save as a file and transfer to your server. Then, you need to use the administration console of TFS 2018 and import the digital license file and activate TFS 2018 manually.
Phone activation: This is another alternative method of activating TFS 2018 if both online and offline activation fail for some reason. You need to enter your product key during the installation or configuration process of TFS 2018, and your server will generate an installation ID that you need to write down or print. Then, you need to call the Microsoft activation phone number for your region and follow the voice instructions. You will be asked to enter your installation ID and wait for a response. If your installation ID is valid, you will receive a digital license that you need to write down or print. Then, you need to use the administration console of TFS 2018 and enter the digital license and activate TFS 2018 manually.
How to use TFS 2018 for your software development projects
After installing and activating TFS 2018, you can start using it for your software development projects. Here are some of the main steps that you need to follow to use TFS 2018 effectively:
How to create and manage projects with TFS 2018How to create and manage projects with TFS 2018
To use TFS 2018 for your software development projects, you need to create and manage team projects. A team project is a logical container that holds all the artifacts, such as source code, work items, builds, releases, tests, etc., related to a specific software project. You can create and manage team projects using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018.
To create a team project, you need to follow these steps:
Choose a project collection: A project collection is a logical grouping of team projects that share the same database and configuration settings. You can choose an existing project collection or create a new one.
Choose a project name: You need to give your team project a unique and descriptive name that reflects the purpose and scope of your software project.
Choose a process template: A process template defines the work item types, fields, states, workflows, reports, and dashboards that are available for your team project. You can choose from the predefined process templates, such as Agile, Scrum, or CMMI, or create your own custom process template.
Choose a version control system: You need to choose between Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC) or Git as your version control system for your team project. TFVC is a centralized version control system that stores all your source code on the server and requires you to check out and check in files. Git is a distributed version control system that stores a copy of your source code on your local machine and allows you to commit and push changes.
Create the team project: After choosing the project collection, name, process template, and version control system, you can create the team project by clicking on the Create button. The creation process may take some time depending on the size and complexity of your team project.
To manage a team project, you need to follow these steps:
Access the team project: You can access your team project using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to connect to your team project.
Configure the team project settings: You can configure various settings for your team project, such as security, permissions, alerts, notifications, policies, extensions, etc., using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018.
Add and manage team members: You can add and manage team members for your team project using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also assign roles and responsibilities to your team members, such as administrators, developers, testers, etc.
Add and manage work items: You can add and manage work items for your team project using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to create and edit work items.
Add and manage source code: You can add and manage source code for your team project using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to perform version control operations, such as check out, check in, commit, push, pull, merge, branch, etc.
How to use Git and GVFS with TFS 2018How to use Git and GVFS with TFS 2018
If you choose Git as your version control system for your team project, you can use Git and GVFS with TFS 2018 to manage your source code. Git is a distributed version control system that stores a copy of your source code on your local machine and allows you to commit and push changes. GVFS is a technology that allows you to work with large Git repositories without having to download all the files and history. GVFS only downloads the files and history that you need, making your Git operations faster and more efficient.
To use Git and GVFS with TFS 2018, you need to follow these steps:
Clone the repository: You need to clone the repository from the TFS server to your local machine using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to clone the repository. You can choose to clone the repository with or without GVFS support.
Work with the repository: You can work with the repository on your local machine using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to work with the repository. You can perform various Git operations, such as commit, push, pull, merge, branch, etc., on your local repository. If you use GVFS, you will only download the files and history that you need for your operations.
Sync with the server: You need to sync your local repository with the TFS server using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to sync your local repository. You can push your changes to the server and pull the changes from the server to keep your local repository up to date.
How to collaborate and communicate with your team using TFS 2018How to collaborate and communicate with your team using TFS 2018
TFS 2018 provides various features and tools that enable you to collaborate and communicate with your team members effectively. You can use these features and tools to share information, provide feedback, resolve issues, and coordinate actions. Some of the main features and tools that you can use to collaborate and communicate with your team using TFS 2018 are:
Team rooms: Team rooms are chat rooms that allow you to have real-time conversations with your team members. You can create and join team rooms using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to access team rooms. You can use team rooms to discuss ideas, ask questions, share updates, and send notifications.
Wiki pages: Wiki pages are web pages that allow you to create and edit documentation for your team project. You can create and manage wiki pages using the web portal or the administration console of TFS 2018. You can also use other tools and clients, such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, Team Explorer Everywhere, etc., to view wiki pages. You can use